Is it fair to judge a movie based upon the actor/director's personal life?

[bwayne]

Okay, I can kind of see where you two guys are coming from. But, these actors are paid to ... well, act. I do not see how Tom Cruise's crazy Scientology beliefs affect a movie if they do not affect his acting. In fact, if the person is a great actor, we shouldn't even see the actor, we should see the persona they are inhabiting on screen.

I couldn't care less about his Scientology crap. I just think he is a vain and annoying person who reads too much of his own press.

 

[pixletwin]

Are you saying that they affect his actual acting, or our perception of the movie?

I mean its especially difficult in this day and age of entertainment news to separate the actor from the character. It shouldn't be so, but I think thats the natural way of things.

 

[Batty]

Whenever I watch a movie or tv show, I never think about an actor's or director's personal life...except for Jeffrey Jones. I've always liked him as character actor. Now whenever I see him, I can't help but be reminded that he was busted for child pornography.

 

[KitFisto]

IMO, if a movie is good then it's good. I can think you're an a$$hat, but still respect your work if it's good.

 

[pixletwin]

Whenever I watch a movie or tv show, I never think about an actor's or director's personal life...except for Jeffrey Jones. I've always liked him as character actor. Now whenever I see him, I can't help but be reminded that he was busted for child pornography.

Me too. My favorite movie is Amadeus where he plays Emperor Joseph II. I loved him in that (still do) but his bust is always in the back of my mind now.

 

[PosterBoyKelly]

YES! Scientologists! I will very much so JUDGE their crap based on them being Scientologists. If you don't know why, do some independent research on Scientologists, and especially on Hubbard.

Jerks? If someones a jerk and makes a movie, I don't care. Scientologists. Yeah. It matters!

 

[galactiboy]

I think it has to be something really extreme (like being into child pornography or a rapist) before I get distracted by an director/actor/performers personal life and choices.

Like others have said it seems like most of the greats are asshats... I mean look at James Brown always getting busted for domestic abuse. Big-time asshat, but still f'n rocks

 

[LOTRFan]

I couldn't help but remember this:

when I was watching MI:III, it was still a decent film, but it did affect me.

 

[Bannister]

You know for some reason the Victor Salva thing has kept me from watching the Jeepers Creepers flicks, yet I have no problem watching a Roman Polanski film. I guess that makes me a hypocrite.

 

[Darklord Dave]

You can enjoy a Tom Cruise or Mel Gibson movie and not respect the actor or director.

But I think that I feel better about a film if I know nothing or only know positive things about a director. I feel a little dirty for liking Apocalypto or M:I 3, but can revel in loving a Joss Whedon flick or TV show because all the evidence is that Joss is not only smart and talented, but seems like a great guy.

 

[dekadentdave]

Gotta THING for Joss Whedon, Dave?

 

[Rocktonix]

Mahler was an asshat.

Really? I don't remember that. I studied music history extensivly but it doesn't ring a bell. I know Tchaik was kind of an asshat as well as Berlioz, or maybe that was just a crazy opium addiction.

 

[tomandshell]

My great-grandmother invited Joss Whedon over for a few drinks. Halfway through a game of Scrabble he slipped her a mickey and she woke up the next morning in excruciating pain with a size seven poop chute.

 

[Rocktonix]

My great-grandmother invited Joss Whedon over for a few drinks. Halfway through a game of Scrabble he slipped her a mickey and she woke up the next morning in excruciating pain with a size seven poop chute.

I'm sure she was asking for it.

 

[Dusty]

My great-grandmother invited Joss Whedon over for a few drinks. Halfway through a game of Scrabble he slipped her a mickey and she woke up the next morning in excruciating pain with a size seven poop chute.

:eek TOM!!! LMAO.... Bwahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[nash]

scrabble and sodomy....what a great combination. The guy's a pro.

 

[BDboystoys]

This is a hard thing to decipher. In todays age where the celebrity is given more weight and interest that the actor it really does just affect us I think. I dont think its right to judge a film based on the person who acted in/directed it, but I cant help but feel justified to like it more knowing how genuine the person is. Just like what Dave said in his last post about Whedon, Ive met the guy and he is just incredibly smart and a really wonderful guy. So I feel great watching his work because I really respect him as a person and a creative mind. Its kinda sad when the personal lives get more attention than the work, but its just a part of the way everything is I suppose. Were just curious and gossipy people

 

[DouglasMcc]

You can enjoy a Tom Cruise or Mel Gibson movie and not respect the actor or director.

But I think that I feel better about a film if I know nothing or only know positive things about a director. I feel a little dirty for liking Apocalypto or M:I 3, but can revel in loving a Joss Whedon flick or TV show because all the evidence is that Joss is not only smart and talented, but seems like a great guy.

See, I can understand disliking actors for stuff like murder, rape, child pornography, etc. Those are crimes, the acts are wrong, and the people who perpetuate them are victimizers. However, I have just never looked at Cruise and Gibson that way. They have always seemed more like victims themselves. Cruise has been brainwashed by a cult. I do not recognize Scientology as a religion ... any more than I would David Koresh's cult. But, Cruise is a victim, just like all the other members. If you all remember the South Park where they killed off Chef (after Hayes, who is also a Scientologist supposedly quit out of anger over the Scientology episode) - I think Stan summed it up best. Let's not hate Chef (or Cruise, Travolta, etc.), let's remember the good times. It's that "fruity little club's" fault for manipulating them. As for Gibson, I really think the antisemitism comes from a combination of racism experienced as a child, and his religious rebirth after cleaning up in the mid-90s ... the same fervor that lead to Passion of the Christ. As many Jewish friends that backed him after the arrest ... I just can't believe all those people would do that if he really was a hardcore racist. So, I guess I give him a "pity" pass too.

 

[nash]

sorry i just cant feel bad for people with hundreds of millions of dollars.

 

[PosterBoyKelly]

sorry i just cant feel bad for people with hundreds of millions of dollars.